Method and apparatus for severing sections from compressible materials



Aug. 21, 1951 SKEQCH 2,565,400

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING SECTIONS FROM COMPRESSIBLE MATERIALSFiled Aug. '7, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l Tlcrl- Ma -J Q M14 Aug. 21, 1951 sc 2,565,400

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING SECTIONS FROM COMPRESSIBLE MATERIALSFiled Aug. 7, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 21, 1951 Filed Aug. '7, 1946 D.H. SKEOCH 2,565,400 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING SECTIONS FROMCOMPRESSIBLE MATERIALS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 21, 19512,565,400 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING SECTIONS FROM COMPRESSIBLEBILLS MATE- Donaid H. Skeoch, Alexandria, Ind., assignor toJohns-Manville Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication August 7, 1946, Serial No. 688,811

7 Claims. 1

This instant-invention relates to the formation of sections of specialshape from resilient, compressible materials, such as blocks or pads ofmineral wool fiber. The term mineral wool is used herein in a broadsense to include fibrous products formed of rock, slag, glass, mixturesthereof and other like raw materials. Mineral wool blocks or pads of thetype referred to are composed of interfelted fibers maintained in theirinterfelted relationship by a minor proportion of asuita-ble binder suchas an asphalt, resin, drying oil or the like, as is well known in theart, reference being. made to reissue patent to E. R. Powell, Re.22,090, issued May 5, 1942, for the disclosure of a known material ofthis type and method of making the same. The material finds a principalfield of use as a thermal insulating media in 'many types of structuresincluding refrigerators and the like.

The invention is particularly concerned with the provision of a methodand means for subdividing such blocks and pads into irregular or unusualshapes which will make them available for special uses such as for theinsulating filling of the wall spaces of modern refrigerator cabinetsand the like. Due to the resilient, compressible nature of the material,the pr par tion of specially shaped pieces by the ordinary cutting orshaping operations is unsatisfactory.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is the provision of anapparatus and method which will operate successfully to sub-divide apreformed, compressible, resilient block or pad into pieces of specialshapes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method andapparatus which can be employed to remove a section inwardly of theedges of a flat block or pad without disruption of the interfeltedstructure of the material.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a method andapparatus of the type referred to involving a cutter blade mounted forreciprocation or vibration at high frequencies in a direction transverseto the direction of movement of the material against the blade.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatusas described above which may be used with blades of different contoursto secure the selected shape oi the block.

My invention will be more fully understood and further objects andadvantages will become apparent when reference is made to the moredetailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which isto follow and to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an apparatus embodying the instantinvention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

5 Fig. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale,

taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a product as produced by theapparatus of Figs. 1-3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cutting element of the apparatus ofFigs. l-3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 6-6of Fig.

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a modified form of the cuttingelement;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a further modification of thecutting element;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view with parts in section of another form ofapparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view, with parts broken away for clearness ofillustration, of the cutting apparatus of Figs. 9 and 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line |2l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the product obtained from the operationof the apparatus of Figs. 9 and 10; and,

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 11 showing a modified form of thecutting element.

. Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1-6 inclusive,the invention is illustrated as embodied in an apparatus for alteringthe cross-section of a block or pad of compressed, resilient material,such as a mineral wool block or pad of the type previously referred to,by removing a section inwardly of the face of the block, the line ofseverance being wholly within the lateral margins of the block. That is,the apparatus operates to hollow out a recess or depression in a face ofthe block. The apparatus includes a conveyor table III which may beeither an apron or roller conveyor. In the construction shown theconveyor table consists of frame struc- .ture l2 including legs I4. Atopposite ends of the frame rolls l6 are mounted in suitable bearings,the rolls supporting a traveling apron I8. At least one of the rolls isadapted to be driven by suitable means, such as motor 20, to cause theapron and the material carried thereby to travel in the directionindicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. Adjustable guides 22 may be mounted atthe edge or the conveyor to accurately position the ma-' terial to beoperated on with respect to the edges of the conveyor belt.

Mounted above the conveyor is a cutting device, indicated generally at24 and including a carrier or bar 28, mounted for sliding movement inbearings 28 fixed at opposite sides of the table. One end of the bar 28has a pivotal connection with a connecting rod 88 which in turn ispivotally mounted on a disc or arm 32 keyed to the shaft of a motor 34.The pivotal mounting of connecting rod 20 on disc 82 is eccentric to theshaft of the motor, whereby Ope ation of the motor causes reciprocationof bar 28.

Bar 28 supports a cutting or slicing blade 38 which may take differentforms, depending upon the surface contour of the product. Variousillustrative forms of the cutting bar are shown inFigs. 5, 7 and 8. Ineach of its forms, the blade which is made of a suitable hard cuttingsteel or alloy is provided with a knife edge 38 pointed toward thematerial carried on the apron and includes depressed central portion 40and integral, offset sections 42 and integral attaching sections 44. Thelatter are provided with suitable apertures 48 for the reception ofbolts or studs 48 (see Fig. 3) whereby the blade is securedto arm 28 forreciprocation or vibration therewith.

In preparing the apparatus for operation a blade of the proper contourto provide the desired surface depression in the batt or blockis mountedon bar 28. Guides 22 are adjusted to accurately position the block onthe apron. Motors 20 and 34 are then operated and the blocks fedsuccessively through the machine. As they 1 come into contact with blade28 a section is cut or sliced from them to provide a surface depressionof the same contour as that of the blade. Due to the rapid reciprocationor vibration of the blade, a slicing effect is obtained which cutscleanly through the fibrous structure without distortion of the fibersor destruction of the interfelted nature of the material. The blade isvibrated at high speed. the motor being driven at, say, 1000-2000 B. P.M. and moving the blade through a full cycle of vibration on eachrevolution. The stroke of reciprocation or vibration is relativelyshort, say, within the range of to It has been found that the high speedvibration through a stroke within the above stated range permits acontinuous cutting. operation to be performed without tearing of thematerial or displacement of the fibers, even at the offset portions ofthe cutter blade. Apparently the material, because of its resilient,compressible characteristics, yields under the impact of theofl'setportions of the knife. The operation of the apparatus on a rectangularblock of the material produces a hollowed-out article 88, as illustratedin Fig. 4. The particular shape shown adapts the product for use as amain insulating slab for the door of one type of domestic refrigeratorcabinet. By employing cutter .blades of other shapes, the blades shownin Figs. '7 and 8 being illustrative, other special surface contours canbe obtained to meet specific requirements.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 9-12, the invention is shown asembodied in an apparatus for completely severing a section of specialshape from the interior of a block or pad. In this case the block 52 iscarried on a platform 84 mounted for vertical reciprocation in guides 88carried by frame 88. The platform may be moved upwardly and downwardlyunder the control of the operator by any suitable means as, for example.

curved edge and a straight edge.

by lever arm 88 having one end pivotally connected to the platform, andthe other end pivotally connected to a lever arm 82, the latter be-' ingsupported on a fulcrum 84 and carrying a foot treadle 88. I

Supported on the frame 88 above platform 84 is a cutting deviceindicated generally by the reference character 88 and including acutting blade 10 fixed to a panel or slide I2. 12 includes projectingbars or rods 14 slidably received in bearings 18. A connecting rod 18has one end pivotally connected to an car carried by the panel, and theother to a disc 82 keyed to the shaft of motor 84. As in the case of theconstruction previously described, the pivotal connection of theconnecting rod to the disc 82 is eccentric to the shaft wherebyoperation of the motor causes the reciprocation of plate 12 with rods 14sliding in bearings 16.

Blade Ill may be of any desired shape or contour to enable a section ofthe required shape to be cut from block 52. As illustrated, the bladeincludes an oval section 88 and straight section 88 to cut or punch outtwo sections of the block material, as illustrated in Fig. 13, eachhaving a The sections shown are especially adapted for filling the upperand lower ends of refrigerator cabinet doors, but from the standpoint ofthe instant invention, the particular shape is entirely a matter ofchoice and the cutter blade may be constructed to produce pad sectionsof other shapes and contours. The cutter blade illustrated in Fig. 14 isrepresentative of the variations which may be employed. The cutter bladeis made of a hard steel and is sharpened to provide cutting edges 80, asillustrated particularly in Fig. 12.

In the operation of the apparatus described above, the motor is drivento vibrate the cutter blade 10 at a high frequency as before and thepivotal connection of connecting rod 18 with respect to the center ofthe motor shaft is arranged to provide a length of stroke of to Block 52is placed on platform 54 and is carried into contact with the blade bydepressing treadle 88, elevation of the platform continuing until theknife completely penetrates the block.

The instant invention, the several embodiments of which are describedabove, provides a method and apparatus for readily subdividing blocks orbatts of mineral wool or other similar compressible, resilient materialsinto sections of odd shapes to fit particular uses. The machine issimple and inexpensive to construct and operate. Due to the vibration ofthe knife, a clean, smooth out is obtained, something which isimpossible with stationary knives when used on materials of this type.

Although the invention has been particularly described in connectionwith the sub-division of mineral wool felts, it will be appreciated thatit may be employed to shape blocks or pads of other compressible,resilient materials with similar advantages.

It will also be understood that although the invention has beendescribed in some detail, these details need not be strictly adhered to,the scope of the invention being defined by thesubjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for severing a section from a yieldable, .compressiblematerial in block form, said apparatus comprising a cutting blade, meanssupporting said blade for vibratory movement. means for moving a blockinto contact with the The panel blade. and means for vibrating saidblade at high frequencies and in a direction transverse to the directionof movement of the block.

2. An apparatus for severing a section from yieldable, compressiblematerial in block form, said apparatus comprising conveying means forthe material, a cutting blade in the path of said material havingstraight and offset cutting portions, means supporting said blade forvibratory movement and means for vibrating said blade at highfrequencies and in a direction transverse to the direction of movementof said conveying means.

3. An apparatus for severing a section from a yieldable, compressiblematerial in block form,'

the line of severance extending inwardly of the block from a facethereof and lying wholly within the lateral margins of the block, saidapparatus comprising conveying means to move the block forwardly, acutting blade in the path of movement of the block and having adepressed cutting section and offset cutting sections extendingtherefrom, means supporting said blade for vibratory movement, and meansfor vibrating said blade at high frequencies and in a directiontransverse to the direction of movement of said conveying means.

4. An apparatus for severing a section from a yieldable material inblock form comprising a conveyor table, a knife supported transverselyof and above said table in the path of movement of a block carried onsaid table, said knife including a depressed cutting section and offsetcutting sections extending therefrom, a carrier supporting said knife,means mounting said carrier for reciprocating movement, and means forreciprocating said carrier to vibrate said knife at high frequencies andin a direction transverse to said conveyor table.

5. An apparatus for severing a section from a yieldable, compressiblematerial in block form comprising a knife having a cutting edge defininga closed figure, a support for said block, means for causing relativemovement of said knife and block toward each other, and means forvibrating said knife at high frequencies and in a direction transverseto the direction of said relative movement.

6. An apparatus for severing a section from a yieldable, resilientmaterial in block or pad form comprisinga knife having a cutting edgedefining a closed figure, a carrier supporting said knife, meansmounting said carrier for lateral reciprocating movement, means forreciprocating said carrier at high speed to vibrate said knife at highfrequencies, a support for said block, and means for causing relativemovement of said knife and support toward each other.

'7. The method of removing a section of material from within the lateralborder of a body of resilient, compressible material, comprisingconveying the body against a cutting edge having a depressed section andoffset sections extending therefrom to a point above said body, theportions of said cutting edge in contact with said body lying entirelyinside of the lateral borders thereof, vibrating said cutting edge athigh frequencies and simultaneously moving said body toward said cuttingedge.

DONALD H. SKEOCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,839,383 Erpelding Jan. 5, 19321,955,004 Lodge Apr. 17, 1934 1,955,395 Tueth Apr. 17, 1934 2,031,472Errig et a1. Feb. 18, 1936 2,304,793 Bodine Dec. 15, 1942 2,384,435Bodine Sept. 11, 1945

